Lake Turkana

Another great Kenyan lake is Lake Turkana, the largest permanent desert lake in the world, the largest alkaline lake in the region, and the fourth-largest salt lake in the world. Therefore, this lake deserves to be on the list of best lakes to visit in Kenya. Tourists can take a trip to nearby Lake Turkana National Park or Sibiloi National Park, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can find amazing animal life, including Nile crocodiles, hippos, Turkana mud turtles, zebras, antelopes, and giraffes. Lake Turkana is rich in fish such as puffer fish, tilapia, and Nile perch. And in terms of the area of all lakes, it is the 24th largest lake in the world.

Lovingly known as the Pearl Sea for its breathtaking turquoise color, Lake Turkana is the world's fourth-largest salt lake at about 320 kilometers in length. This saltwater lake is also home to three parks on the island. The three National Parks serve as a stopover for migrant waterfowl and are major breeding grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, and a variety of venomous snakes. The Koobi Fora deposits, rich in mammalian, molluscan, and other fossil remains, have contributed more to the understanding of paleo-environments than any other site on the continent. Due to some progressive natural factors, the flamingo numbers have been reducing but the park itself remains stunning – one of Kenya’s finest. Great rocky escarpments tower over acacia forest, waterfalls, wooded hills and euphorbia trees dot the lake.

• Location: Great Rift Valley, Kenya